ABSTRACT
An abstruse, but highly revered work, known as the "Canon of Changes" (~~ ) was compiled by Wen Wang (,:ex.) (B.c. 1231-1135) and his son Chou Kung \ m10: ), which has served as a basis for the philosophy of divination and geomancy. Each symbol has a name, represents some object, has individual attributes and is connected with some animal, and point of the compass. The first, Ch'ien (¥t), has three unbroken lines, and represents Heaven, tireless strength, the horse, and the south. The second, a broken line above two unbroken is Tui (jt) and represents still water, pleasure or complacent satisfaction. Connected with the goat, and the south-east. The third Li (J.1I) has the broken bar between two continuous lines and corresponds with fire, as in lightning, or the sun. It stands for brightness and elegance, the pheasant, and the eastern quarter. The fourth, Chen ( .. ), has two interrupted, above one continuous line, and symbolises thunder, or moving power. Connected with the dragon and north-east.
